J Autism Dev Disord [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Sensory Over-Responsivity in Autism: A Bidirectional Brain-Gut-Microbiome Model.
Ringold SM, Cermak SA, Labus JS … +2 more , Mayer EA, Aziz-Zadeh L
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41779338 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) system encompasses a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiome and the brain and plays a critical role in maintaining gut function and modulating behavior. Her...
PURPOSE: The brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) system encompasses a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiome and the brain and plays a critical role in maintaining gut function and modulating behavior. Here, we specifically focus on the interactions between sensory over-responsivity (SOR), a common phenotype in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the BGM system and discuss potential mechanisms underlying these interactions. METHODS: We examine key constructs and frameworks related to sensory processing, autism, and the BGM system, synthesize literature to identify knowledge gaps, and propose a model linking the BGM system and SOR in autism. RESULTS: Grounded in prior literature, we propose a conceptual model involving the brain, the gut microbiome, and SOR in autism. In this model sensory features of foods commonly associated with SOR contribute to atypical eating behaviors, resulting in differences in dietary intake, which in turn affect the gut and oral microbiomes. The gut microbiome can impact neural activity and brain structure via the connection between the gut and the brain, further contributing to SOR. CONCLUSION: The interdisciplinary nature of this topic is emphasized, bridging research from neuroscience, microbiology, pediatrics, nutrition, psychology, and occupational therapy/occupational science. Reflecting on the intersection of autism characteristics and microbiome health, this analysis offers critical insights for research and clinical practice.
Correspondence Between the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) in Adolescents and Adults.
Ederer JE, Lampinen LA, Vo LTV … +1 more , Bal VH
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774318 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Research has indicated an increase of adults being referred for first-time autism assessment though there are limited tools designed to assess autism in adulthood. Concerns have arisen regarding higher rates of...
PURPOSE: Research has indicated an increase of adults being referred for first-time autism assessment though there are limited tools designed to assess autism in adulthood. Concerns have arisen regarding higher rates of camouflaging in adulthood-diagnosed adults and how this may restrict clinicians' ability to observe all autistic traits during assessments with an unfamiliar person. The Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA), derived from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The BOSA focuses on a 12- to 14-minute interaction with a familiar other and has shown promise as an adapted tool. Due to the short duration and limited materials, the BOSA may be useful as a supplemental measure for first-time diagnosis of adolescents or adults, or as a brief method to characterize research participants. METHODS: The study sought to explore the utility of the BOSA and its correspondence to the ADOS-2 with a sample of forty-two adolescents and adults who completed the ADOS-2 and BOSA within the same visit at an autism lab within a university in New Jersey. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the ADOS-2 Modules 3 and 4 and BOSA F2 were comparable. The instruments yielded highly similar classifications and item scores. Differences in some item scores highlight limitations of very brief observations and suggest potential areas for refinement of the BOSA. CONCLUSION: The BOSA may provide an additional context in which to consider diagnostic features when assessing adolescents and adults and offers a feasible option for sample characterization in research.
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Autism Mentorship Program.
Hudock RL, Gunlicks-Stoessel M, Zhang J … +9 more , Zhou H, Congreve A, Williams S, Petricek C, Goldberg E, Austin JD, Hokland AJ, Khan L, Weiler LM
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774317 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: While mentoring programs have many positive social-emotional outcomes for youth, the benefits of mentoring are not yet well understood for autistic youth, a population that frequently seeks social and mental hea...
PURPOSE: While mentoring programs have many positive social-emotional outcomes for youth, the benefits of mentoring are not yet well understood for autistic youth, a population that frequently seeks social and mental health supports. The current pilot randomized clinical trial study aims to examine (1) the acceptability of the Autism Mentorship Program (AMP) and (2) the preliminary effectiveness of AMP in improving mentees' well-being and reducing symptoms of mental health problems. METHODS: Participants included 24 autistic youth, 24 caregivers of autistic youth, and 12 autistic adults. Youth (ages 14-18) were randomized to AMP or services-as-usual (SAU), with 13 randomized into AMP. AMP included 23 weekly online mentoring sessions during which autistic mentors and autistic adolescents met in 1-to-1 meetings and discussed topics related to social-emotional learning or shared interests or engaged in an activity of their choosing. Youth, caregivers and autistic mentors completed pre- and post-program assessments related to satisfaction, mental health, and psychosocial outcomes. Analyses focused on descriptive trends and effect sizes due to limited power. RESULTS: Participants in AMP reported high program satisfaction and strong mentoring relationships. Compared to youth in SAU, AMP youth showed improvements in self-esteem, satisfaction with self, perceived social support, and engagement, with small to moderate effect sizes. Mentees also reported trends toward reduced anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: AMP is a feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective identity-affirming program for autistic adolescents. Findings support further evaluation in larger trials to establish its utility as a scalable, community-based mental health support within autistic communities.
Associations Between Dietary Patterns, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Behavioral Symptoms in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Exploratory Study.
Li P, Leng T, Hao R … +4 more , Yuan Z, Li Y, Sun L, Zhang B
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41770300 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This cross-sectional case-control study explored associations between dietary patterns, inflammatory biomarkers, and behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: We recruited 40...
PURPOSE: This cross-sectional case-control study explored associations between dietary patterns, inflammatory biomarkers, and behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: We recruited 40 children with ASD and 57 with typical development (TD). Dietary patterns were derived using exploratory factor analysis from a food frequency questionnaire. Behavioral measures included the Social Responsiveness Scale, Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire-2, and Short Sensory Profile. Inflammatory markers were analyzed via multiplex immunoassay and ELISA. RESULTS: Two dietary patterns were identified: “Factor 1: Processed Foods and Sweets Pattern” and “Factor 2: Plant- and Grain-Based Pattern”. Children with ASD scored significantly lower on the factor 2 than TD children (p = 0.006). Within the ASD group, higher factor 2 scores were negatively correlated with social motivation deficits, autistic mannerisms, and total scores on the SRS and RBQ-2, and positively correlated with auditory filtering and the SSP total score. Children with ASD exhibited elevated inflammatory markers, with EGF specifically higher in those adhering to the Processed Foods and Sweets Pattern. An exploratory ROC analysis revealed that SRS and RBQ-2 total scores could distinguish adherence to the Plant- and Grain-Based Pattern in ASD group (AUCs = 0.817, 0.746). CONCLUSION: These exploratory findings highlight links between dietary patterns and ASD symptoms, sensory processing, and inflammatory status. The Plant- and Grain-Based Pattern may serve a protective role, while an Processed Foods and Sweets Pattern may exacerbate inflammation. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm these cross-sectional associations.
Exploring Correlations of Unemployment, Underemployment, and Well-Being Among Autistic Job Seekers by Race in the United States.
VanDaalen RA, Zhao JL, Hsiao YJE … +4 more , Karsting H, Cai RY, Kim JP, Fung LK
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41762370 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Autistic adults have high levels of unemployment and underemployment, which may have detrimental effects on their financial and psychological well-being. In the current project, we explore correlates of psycholo...
PURPOSE: Autistic adults have high levels of unemployment and underemployment, which may have detrimental effects on their financial and psychological well-being. In the current project, we explore correlates of psychological and financial well-being, as well as depressive symptoms, with different levels of employment while examining whether race moderates these relationships. METHODS: We utilized survey data from autistic job seekers in the United States who expressed interest in a larger clinical trial of a supported employment program. RESULTS: Among the 710 participants, 248 (34.9%) were currently employed; among the employed participants, 127 (51.2%) met at least one criterion for underemployment. In general, there were no significant differences by employment status in depressive symptoms, psychological well-being, or financial well-being. However, when controlling for age, gender, and education level, race/ethnicity significantly moderated the relationship between employment status and depressive symptoms. Specifically, fully employed Asian American participants had significantly fewer depressive symptoms compared to their underemployed counterparts. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the nuances of employment status and well-being among diverse autistic individuals, especially Asian American autistic individuals.
Effectiveness and Usability of Artificial Intelligence and/or Machine Learning Enabled Wrist and Ankle Wearables for Physiological and Behavioral Monitoring in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.
Sheth SAM, Lemoniatis E, Ejaz T … +2 more , Kennedy E, Charalambous G
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41746527 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This review evaluates the performance, feasibility, and acceptability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)–enabled wrist- and ankle-worn wearables for monitoring physiological and behavioral...
PURPOSE: This review evaluates the performance, feasibility, and acceptability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)–enabled wrist- and ankle-worn wearables for monitoring physiological and behavioral states that help predict difficulties in arousal regulation, emotion modulation, and behavioral control—often manifesting as aggression or self-injury in autistic children and adolescents. METHOD: A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to May 2025 following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a preregistered PROSPERO protocol (CRD420251068317). Participant characteristics, sensor modalities, study settings, AI/ML approaches, outcome definitions, and feasibility and acceptability measures were examined. Findings were synthesized narratively due to study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Preliminary proof-of-concept data (n = 246; 170 autistic) suggest that AI-enabled models have the potential to anticipate aggression 1–3 min before onset (AUC 0.80–0.87) in specialized psychiatric settings. Under controlled conditions, self-injury and motor stereotypies were detected with 86–96% recall (up to 99% in initial personalized models). Emotional or sensory states were classified with 83–90% accuracy in laboratory contexts. Wrist-worn devices were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: AI-enabled wrist and ankle wearables demonstrate feasibility for anticipating behavioral escalation and detecting emotional states. Short advance-warning windows may support proactive intervention. Although current studies are necessarily small and exploratory, reflecting the early developmental stage of AI-enabled wearable technologies, they collectively provide proof-of-concept accuracy. These preliminary data justify continued research into proactive, sensor-supported behavioral monitoring in autism. Larger, longitudinal, co-designed studies in naturalistic settings are now required to establish reliability, safety, and clinical utility.
Quality of Life of and Its Predictors Among Caregivers of Children With Developmental Disorders.
Waqar S, Ali H, Ali E … +2 more , Niaz A, Roshan R
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41733876 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of quality of life (QoL) among caregivers of children facing mental health challenges. Specifically, it explored how caregivers’ sociodemographic char...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of quality of life (QoL) among caregivers of children facing mental health challenges. Specifically, it explored how caregivers’ sociodemographic characteristics influence their QoL. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected at the Psychology Outpatient Department of a rehabilitation institute in Islamabad. Between October 2022 and February 2023, a total of 350 mothers of children with mental health issues participated. Data were gathered using an interview-based questionnaire, which included information on caregivers’ and children’s demographics, disability-related factors, and the PedsQL Family Impact Module (FIM) to assess QoL. RESULTS: Findings indicated that certain sociodemographic variables significantly impacted caregivers’ QoL. Older age of both caregivers and children, as well as a higher number of children, were negatively associated with QoL. In contrast, higher monthly household income was positively linked to better caregiver well-being. Interestingly, caregivers of boys with disabilities reported a higher QoL compared to those caring for girls with disabilities. Additionally, family structure played a role: caregivers living in nuclear families experienced better QoL compared to those in joint family systems. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the complex interplay between social, economic, and familial factors in shaping the caregiving experience. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing targeted interventions and support systems to enhance the well-being of caregivers managing the mental health needs of their children.
The Under-Identification of Autism in Females: A Review and Analysis of Sex-Based Scoring Differences Observed in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Module 3.
Yu YY, Wyman A, Faulk CJ … +15 more , Fulop LJ, Greenberg RL, Benecke RM, Steinbeck LK, Foy J, Kim C, Emory GO, Fox E, Storch EA, Zampella CJ, Yerys BE, Schultz RT, Parish-Morris J, Herrington JD, Clements CC
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41733875 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Emerging research highlights sex differences in autism presentation, raising questions about the validity of clinician-administered diagnostic tools like the gold-standard Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule...
PURPOSE: Emerging research highlights sex differences in autism presentation, raising questions about the validity of clinician-administered diagnostic tools like the gold-standard Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). This study examines whether clinicians’ perceptions, potentially biased toward male-typical presentations, contribute to sex bias in ADOS items and the under-identification of autism in females. METHODS: In a sample of 813 children, multidimensional item response theory graded response models were employed to analyze differential item functioning (DIF) of items in ADOS Module 3 (the version commonly administered to school-aged children with fluent spoken language). RESULTS: Six items showed significant sex bias. On four social communication items, females tended to be underscored, meaning rated as showing fewer autistic features (e.g., more emotion talk) than males with equivalent levels of autism latent traits. In contrast, females tended to be overscored on two items related to restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests (i.e., more finger mannerisms, specific interests, or repetitive behaviors). The impact of sex bias on overall scores was small, ranging from 0.10 to 0.28 points per item, and approximately 0.41 points on the overall test score. CONCLUSION: This analysis joins three previous reports of specific ADOS items that function differently in females than males, with converging evidence identifying two problematic items (D2 and D4). Overall, DIF was small and unlikely to affect ADOS classification. We speculate that the direction and consistency of DIF in social communication items might reflect underlying phenomena (viz., masking, clinician bias) that may relate to female underdiagnosis more generally.
Shaping Teacher Education Through Professional Identities: Enhancing Autism Awareness.
Yazıcı MS, Karsantık İ
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41733874 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The main aim of this study is to examine autism awareness in relation to different professional identities and to explore its implications for teacher education. Furthermore, the study aims to explore how teache...
PURPOSE: The main aim of this study is to examine autism awareness in relation to different professional identities and to explore its implications for teacher education. Furthermore, the study aims to explore how teacher education can be improved by considering differences in individuals' professional identities, especially regarding autism awareness. METHODS: A quantitative approach was used with a sample consisting of 745 participants who completed a data collection form that included the Autism Awareness Scale to primarily examine levels of autism awareness, their sources of information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and their perceived competence in educating students with ASD. The analysis included group comparisons, structural equation modeling, response surface analysis, and machine learning-based prediction. RESULTS: The findings revealed that different professional identities significantly impact the participants' results. Also, this study found that autism awareness was higher when university education was supported by social media and websites (or non-governmental organizations). For in-service teachers, the most effective method was in-service training delivered in partnership with a non-governmental organization. CONCLUSION: In line with the results, the study suggests a framework for designing teacher education programs with a focus on teachers' professional identities to effectively foster autism awareness. Furthermore, the study suggests that focusing on key professional factors such as professional pressure, professional belonging, professional awareness, and cultural pressure could make teacher education more effective, especially when tailored to different professional identities within the framework.
Age-Specific Patterns in Utilization and Costs of Developmental Rehabilitation Therapy for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
Park JH, Kim SJ, Cho SJ … +3 more , Kwon SH, Kang DW, Lee EK
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41729450 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study examined age-specific utilization patterns and costs of developmental rehabilitation therapy among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional online surv...
OBJECTIVE: This study examined age-specific utilization patterns and costs of developmental rehabilitation therapy among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in November 2024 among caregivers of children under 18 years with ASD. Participants were recruited via online communities for caregivers of children with ASD. Quota sampling was employed to categorize respondents into four age groups (≤ 6, 7–9, 10–12, and ≥ 13 years) based on school age. Only those whose children had received developmental rehabilitation therapy within the past three months were included. Therapy type, frequency, and monthly costs were assessed. Generalized linear models with a gamma distribution were used to identify factors associated with total and out-of-pocket costs. RESULTS: Data from 144 children with ASD were analyzed. Children aged 7–12 received the widest range of therapies, whereas adolescents ≥ 13 years received the fewest. Applied Behavior Analysis, the costliest therapy, was most frequently used among children ≤ 6 years. This youngest group also incurred the highest monthly costs (total: US$682.6; out-of-pocket: US$557.7), despite the lowest proportion of government voucher support (7.1%). Younger age and greater disability severity were associated with higher expenditures. Financial burden was the most common reason for planned therapy discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Developmental rehabilitation therapy for ASD shows marked age-related differences in utilization and financial burden. Younger children, particularly those ≤ 6 years, receive more intensive and costly therapies but have the lowest public support. Targeted policy interventions are needed to improve access and reduce the financial burden across age groups.
Understanding the Mental Health in Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum: Beyond Child-Driven Stressors.
Song DY, Kyung S, Bong G … +3 more , Kim YR, Lee Y, Yoo HJ
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41721942 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Parents of children on the autism spectrum experience elevated psychological distress, which can impact both their well-being and child outcomes. While prior research has focused primarily on child-related contr...
PURPOSE: Parents of children on the autism spectrum experience elevated psychological distress, which can impact both their well-being and child outcomes. While prior research has focused primarily on child-related contributors to parental mental health, parent-specific factors remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining a range of psychiatric concerns in parents of children on the autism spectrum, considering both child and parent-related factors. METHODS: Participants were drawn from a Korean genetic cohort study on autism multiplex families. Parental mental health was assessed using the Korean-Symptom Checklist 95 (K-SCL95), and measures of autistic traits were collected. Parents with T-scores greater than 70 on the K-SCL95 subdomains were considered to have clinical concern. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to better understand the dimensions of parental mental health. Univariate linear regressions were performed for both child- and parent-related variables, with significant factors subsequently included in multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Among 464 parents, 29.09% had a T-score above 70 on the K-SCL95 subdomain. EFA identified two factors in fathers (“High Sensitivity-Dysregulation” and “Depressive Domain”), and two dimensions in mothers (“High Sensitivity” and “Depressive-Dysregulation”). Parental difficulties in pragmatic language measured by the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire were consistently associated with the mental health dimensions. Child-related factors were largely attenuated after adjustment, although child externalizing behaviors remained positively associated with paternal mental health domains. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need for targeted mental health support for parents of children on the spectrum, particularly those with autistic traits, to enhance caregiver well-being.
Reduced Dissociation Between Perception and Action in Autistic Individuals.
Ahmad Z, Hadad BS, Mazuz Y … +2 more , Ganel T, Freud E
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41718950 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Changes in perceptual behaviors are a core phenotype of autism (in acknowledgment of the ongoing discourse regarding terminology about individuals diagnosed with autism, we use "autistic individuals" and “non-au...
PURPOSE: Changes in perceptual behaviors are a core phenotype of autism (in acknowledgment of the ongoing discourse regarding terminology about individuals diagnosed with autism, we use "autistic individuals" and “non-autistic individuals” in line with recent conventions), yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In order to explore this, we tested the hypothesis that these changes arise from reduced cortical specialization by examining the well-established functional dissociation between visual processing for perception and action. METHODS: We examined the effects of spatial context (Experiment 1) and stimulus history (Experiment 2), both of which typically influence perception but not grasping in non-autistic individuals. In each experiment, autistic and non-autistic participants completed grasping and estimation tasks. In Experiment 1, we used two objects of different sizes, placed on an illusory Ponzo background, making them appear “close” or “far” from the observer. In Experiment 2, we presented a standard stimulus (40 mm) in two blocks of stimuli: a “wide” range (20–60 mm) and a “narrow” range (35–45 mm). RESULTS: In Experiment 1, non-autistic individuals showed a robust illusion effect only during perceptual estimation, while autistic individuals were affected during estimation and grasping. In Experiment 2, once again, non-autistic participants showed a strong contextual effect, but only during the estimation task, displaying reduced sensitivity (i.e., higher discrimination thresholds) when viewing objects in the “wide” contextual block. Autistic participants showed consistent effects of the experimental context for both the grasping and estimation tasks. CONCLUSION: Together, these results provide novel evidence for a reduced functional dissociation between perception and action in autistic people, supporting the reduced specialization account as a possible underlying mechanism mediating perceptual alterations in autism.
On Terms: Is There a Problem With "Problem Behavior"? A Bibliometric Prevalence Analysis.
Kranak MP, Cantu-Davis K, Neely LC … +2 more , Stephens MJ, Wessel MA
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41712106 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Language shapes scientific interpretation, clinical decision-making, and public understanding of autism. Although much attention has focused on identity-first versus person-first terminology, little is known abo...
PURPOSE: Language shapes scientific interpretation, clinical decision-making, and public understanding of autism. Although much attention has focused on identity-first versus person-first terminology, little is known about how researchers describe behaviors targeted for reduction (e.g., aggression, self-injury). We examined how the terminology used to label such behaviors in autism intervention single-case research has changed over the past three decades, quantifying shifts across journals and years to evaluate the extent to which the field has moved away from consistent, standardized terminology. METHODS: A bibliometric prevalence analysis was conducted across six journals with a history of publishing single-case experimental design (SCED) research related to autism or problem behavior. All articles published in 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 were reviewed (n = 2326). Articles were included if they measured a behavior targeted for reduction using an SCED and used one of 12 predetermined behavior-related terms. Interrater agreement was 100%. Frequency data were analyzed descriptively and using Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Across 189 included articles, terminology diversity increased by 22% from 1994 to 2024. Use of problem behavior declined sharply in 2024, while challenging behavior increased markedly. Disruptive behavior and target behavior remained stable. Significant differences were observed across both year (H = 38.07, p < .001) and journal (H = 14.42, p = .0132). CONCLUSION: Behavior-related terminology in autism research has become increasingly heterogeneous, with a notable shift away from the term problem behavior. These changes likely reflect evolving editorial practices and sociocultural influences rather than empirical evidence. Greater transparency, consistency, and stakeholder input are needed to ensure that language choices advance, rather than obscure, scientific and clinical communication.
Correction: Societal Attitudes Towards Autism (SATA): Validation of the Greek Version in the General Population.
Zarokanellou V, Gryparis A, Papatheodorou P … +5 more , Tatsis G, Tafiadis D, Papadopoulos A, Voniati L, Siafaka V
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 May · PMID 41708564 · Full text
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Self-Reported Strengths and Difficulties by Autistic Young Adults.
Ferraiolo J, Parenteau CI, Khaw J … +5 more , Herbert G, Adams R, Taylor J, Bishop S, Zheng S
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41706308 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The autistic community has called for a neurodiversity-affirming perspective of autism. By asking autistic adults about their strengths and difficulties, we can expand our understanding of autism by challenging...
PURPOSE: The autistic community has called for a neurodiversity-affirming perspective of autism. By asking autistic adults about their strengths and difficulties, we can expand our understanding of autism by challenging deficit-dominant narratives and moving towards strengths-informed support tailored to address challenges explicitly expressed by autistic individuals. METHODS: A sample of 292 autistic adults recruited from the SPARK research match registry responded to the question "What are your strengths?", and 294 individuals responded to the question "What are your primary difficulties at this time?" as part of a larger study. We employed an inductive coding approach to analyze free-text responses and organized coded responses into themes. RESULTS: Participants most frequently reported Interpersonal Skills/Traits (43.8%) as a strength and Everyday Life Challenges (39.1%) as a difficulty. Specifically, the most frequently reported strengths were "Kind/Caring/Loving," "Smart/Intelligent," and "Perseverant/Resilient". The most frequently reported difficulties were "Socializing," "Executive Functioning," and "Co-occurring Mental Health Challenges." CONCLUSION: Reported strengths and difficulties varied widely among autistic adults, highlighting the heterogeneity of autistic experiences. Autistic adults reported strengths in interpersonal skills/traits and resilience that are not typically acknowledged in current literature. They also reported difficulties across multiple areas of life not directly connected to autism. Our findings expand ideas about what strengths autistic individuals have and advocate for wraparound supports to help autistic individuals access their strengths, reducing the burden of self-reliance through addressing unmet needs.
Accuracy of Autism-Related TikTok Information in Italian: A Comparison Between Human Raters and Large Language Models.
Carollo A, Fong S, Belardinelli G … +5 more , Perzolli S, Vivanti G, Messinger DS, Dimitriou D, Esposito G
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41706307 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Social networking sites are major channels for sharing information on neurodiversity, including autism spectrum disorder. TikTok has become a particularly influential platform for autism-related communication, y...
PURPOSE: Social networking sites are major channels for sharing information on neurodiversity, including autism spectrum disorder. TikTok has become a particularly influential platform for autism-related communication, yet concerns remain about the scientific accuracy of such content. Most prior studies have focused on English-language videos and have evaluated accuracy with limited granularity. Additionally, the difficulty of achieving consistent expert ratings underscores the need for automated reliability assessment. METHODS: In this study, we examined 408 informational statements extracted from 148 TikTok videos posted under the hashtag #Autismo (Italian for #Autism). Three clinical experts independently classified each statement as inaccurate, overgeneralized, or accurate; their median ratings served as the human-derived ground truth and were compared with classifications from two large language models: ChatGPT 4.0 mini and Gemini 1.5 Flash. RESULTS: Human raters showed moderate agreement (κmean = 0.52) and high specific agreement only for accurate statements, with lower agreement for overgeneralized and inaccurate content. ChatGPT achieved moderate agreement with human ratings (κ = 0.58), while Gemini reached only fair agreement (κ = 0.29). ChatGPT also exhibited a more conservative evaluation pattern (accurate information: precision = 0.89, recall = 0.82), whereas Gemini tended to overestimate accuracy (accurate information: precision = 0.76, recall = 0.93). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LLMs, particularly ChatGPT, may support cautious and assistive evaluation of online health content. Future research should assess their applicability across online communities and platforms and explore their integration into accuracy-based alert systems that provide users with contextual reliability cues.
Altered Higher-Order Structural and Functional Connectivity Coupling in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Dai Z, Yang L, Li Z … +6 more , Zhang X, Lu J, Wang W, Wang Y, Zhao S, Wang B
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41701445 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: While direct brain connection differences are well-documented in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), brain function also critically depends on indirect, higher-order structural connections (hSC). Understanding th...
BACKGROUND: While direct brain connection differences are well-documented in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), brain function also critically depends on indirect, higher-order structural connections (hSC). Understanding the influence of these connections on functional relationships is key to unraveling the neural mechanisms of ASD. METHODS: This study included 76 participants with ASD and 64 typically development (TD). We utilized the node2vec embedding method to characterize brain nodes and construct hSC networks, which were then differentiated into direct and indirect connectivity networks. The structural-functional coupling (SC-FC coupling) method was subsequently employed to quantify the relationship between structural and functional connectivity. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated significant differences in SC-FC coupling within the ASD group. These alterations were particularly evident in rich club connections and within specific modules, including the default mode network and visual network. Furthermore, the coupling strengths of several brain regions-specifically the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, left middle orbital gyrus, left olfactory cortex, and right superior temporal gyrus-were found to be associated with the severity of ASD symptoms. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the importance of considering higher-order network interactions when analyzing structural and functional relationships in neurodevelopmental disorders. This study offers new insights into the neural mechanisms of ASD by highlighting the role of hSC and its coupling with functional connectivity.
Brief Report: Psychological Flexibility, Perceived Stress and Emotion Regulation in Transitional-Age Youth (TAY) With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Visser K, Keulen J, Bodden D … +1 more , Dekker LP
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41701444 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: In clinical practice and research, there is growing interest in transdiagnostic interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), due to the pervas...
PURPOSE: In clinical practice and research, there is growing interest in transdiagnostic interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), due to the pervasive nature of the condition, which can lead to recurring difficulties. To develop and refine such interventions, it is essential to identify the transdiagnostic factors that individuals with ASD struggle with. METHODS: The current study investigated psychological flexibility-a key concept within ACT-in a group of adolescents and young adults, i.e., transition-age youth (TAY), with ASD, and compared them to TAY with other psychological problems and a community sample of TAY. In addition, two other transdiagnostic factors were examined: perceived stress and emotion regulation (ER) strategies. RESULTS: Both TAY with ASD and TAY with other psychological problems reported lower levels of psychological flexibility, higher perceived stress, and fewer adaptive as well as more maladaptive ER strategies compared to TAY from the community group. Contrary to expectations, no significant differences were found between TAY with ASD and those with other psychological problems. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of focusing on interventions that aim to increase psychological flexibility, such as ACT, while also addressing other transdiagnostic factors like stress and ER skills in future research on TAY with ASD.
Bridging the Measurement Gap: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) for Chinese Parents of Autistic Children.
Wang L, Yuan F, Wang Y … +4 more , Niu X, Cheng Y, Wong PCM, Zhang H
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41689703 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Parental self-efficacy (PSE), defined as parents’ belief in their ability to support their child’s development, plays a crucial role in family functioning and child outcomes. While the Brief Parental Self-Effica...
PURPOSE: Parental self-efficacy (PSE), defined as parents’ belief in their ability to support their child’s development, plays a crucial role in family functioning and child outcomes. While the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) is a concise and validated tool, no Chinese version is currently available. This study aimed to translate the BPSES into Chinese (BPSES-C), evaluate its psychometric properties, and identify factors associated with PSE among parents of autistic children in China. METHODS: The BPSES was translated using a rigorous translation and back-translation process. A total of 363 parents, including 315 mothers and 48 fathers of autistic children, completed the BPSES-C. Psychometric evaluation included analyses of internal consistency, convergent validity, and confirmatory factor structure. Robust regression with backward stepwise selection was used to explore predictors of PSE. RESULTS: The BPSES-C demonstrated high internal consistency and strong convergent and structural validity. Higher autism severity in children was associated with lower PSE, while parents with a bachelor’s degree reported significantly higher PSE compared to those with a lower level of education. CONCLUSION: The BPSES-C is a psychometrically sound tool for assessing PSE among Chinese parents of autistic children, offering a culturally appropriate and efficient alternative to existing measures. Its validation supports broader research and clinical use in early autism intervention. Additionally, the identification of key predictors, such as child symptom severity and parental education level, highlights areas where targeted support can enhance parent engagement and empowerment.
Reduced Habituation: A Key to Understanding Sensory Sensitivity in Autism.
Tarantino V, Santostefano A, Catania A … +5 more , Giordano S, Montalto G, Calistro F, Oliveri M, Turriziani P
J Autism Dev Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41689702 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Atypical sensory processing is a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and contributes to explaining many of its clinical manifestations. Previous research, primarily conducted in laboratory settings, h...
PURPOSE: Atypical sensory processing is a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and contributes to explaining many of its clinical manifestations. Previous research, primarily conducted in laboratory settings, has demonstrated a link between sensory sensitivity and sensory habituation. This study examined this relationship in everyday contexts using self-report instruments. METHODS: A group of adults with ASD and a group of neurotypical controls completed the Sensory Habituation Questionnaire (S-Hab-Q), which assesses the ability to adapt to environmental stimuli across sensory modalities, along with the Sensory Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Autistic Quotient (AQ), which measure the individual sensory sensitivity profile and autistic traits, respectively. In the group with ASD, we also explored the relationship between sensory profiles and cognitive functioning. RESULTS: The results showed that participants with ASD required more time to habituate to sensory stimuli than neurotypical controls. S-Hab-Q scores correlated with SPQ and AQ scores in both groups, and the first association was more pronounced in the group with ASD. Specifically, the S-Hab-Q scores correlated with the Attention Switching, Attention to Detail and Communication subscales of the AQ and, in the group with ASD, with the interference score on the Stroop test. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that a slower habituation rate was linked to greater sensory sensitivity and higher levels of autistic traits and suggest that sensory habituation also plays a role in cognitive and social functioning. Overall, the study highlights the importance of considering both sensory habituation and sensory sensitivity in diagnostic and intervention processes.
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